Oman's labour body secures 87 job reinstatements in April
According to the Federation's latest bulletin, four private sector companies submitted notifications involving the collective termination of 974 employees due to economic conditions. The GFOW's relevant committee approved the termination of 16 non-Omani workers, while also securing the reinstatement of 87 Omani employees through formal mediation processes.
During the same period, the GFOW supported workers in 14 cases of individual and collective complaints, which were addressed through dialogue and negotiation sessions. Of these, eight cases were resolved, while six remain ongoing.
Legal awareness among the workforce also increased, as the Federation responded to 76 legal inquiries and consultations covering issues such as wages, leave entitlements, contract terms, and working hours.
In terms of union organisation, two new trade unions were formed in April. Additionally, three existing trade unions completed alignment procedures to meet national legal requirements.
Committees under the GFOW held structured meetings to evaluate employer requests for workforce reduction and to assess complaints related to deteriorating working conditions. The Federation stressed that all measures taken were based on legal due diligence and guided by the principle of prioritising Omani job retention.
The GFOW stated that key employment issues addressed during the month included wage disputes, leave entitlements, contract terminations, project completion concerns, and demands for improved working conditions. These issues remain central to the Federation's mandate under the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which promotes labour market resilience, fair governance, and economic participation.
In a statement, the Federation reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating social dialogue and protecting the rights of workers through institutional mechanisms and union support. It also urged employers to enhance transparency and engage proactively in resolving disputes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
9 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Salalah Free Zone secures RO187mn in H1 2025
Salalah – Salalah Free Zone (SFZ), part of Asyad Group, has attracted six new projects in the first half of 2025 with a combined investment value exceeding RO187mn. The additions bring total cumulative investments in the zone to RO4.9bn since the start of commercial operations. SFZ reported high occupancy rates, with 51% of leasable land and 87% of warehouses currently in use, reflecting steady demand for its infrastructure and services. In the same period, seven strategic projects worth more than RO80mn entered pilot operation or construction phases. SFZ stated the developments highlight strong investor confidence, supported by its location at the crossroads of three continents, modern infrastructure, and integration with Salalah Port and Salalah Airport. 'The indicators achieved in the first half of 2025 reaffirm growing investor confidence in our integrated environment,' said Dr Ali bin Mohammed Tabuk, CEO of SFZ. 'We are focused on attracting projects that leverage our infrastructure, incentives and Asyad Group's logistics solutions, while contributing to economic diversification and sustainable development in line with Oman Vision 2040.' The zone's success is a testament to its strategic advantages, including a suite of investor-centric incentives, SFZ stated. 'Furthermore, its seamless integration with Salalah Port and Salalah Airport provides direct global connectivity, consolidating its role as a leading industrial and logistics hub that advances the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.'
Muscat Daily
9 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
ROP amends validity, fees for Omani ID and expat resident cards
Muscat – Royal Oman Police (ROP) has issued Decision No 78/2025 amending provisions of the Executive Regulation of the Civil Status Law, extending the validity period and revising fees for personal identity cards of Omani citizens and resident cards for expatriates. Under the new rules, personal identity cards for Omanis will now be valid for ten years from the date of issue or renewal, as opposed to five years earlier. Issuing, renewing or replacing a lost or damaged card will cost RO10. Resident cards of expatriates will be valid for a maximum of three years. The fee for issuing or renewing a resident card of one-year validity is RO5, RO10 for two years and RO15 for three years. Replacement of a lost or stolen resident card will cost RO20. Issued by Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsen al Shuraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs, the amendments replace Article 21 of the regulation. The changes were made in line with the Civil Status Law (Royal Decree No 99/66), its Executive Regulation (Decision No 40/2007), with approval of Ministry of Finance. The decision was published in Official Gazette Issue 1608 and takes effect from August 7, 2025. The move was welcomed by citizens and residents. 'Royal Oman Police is one of the most active government agencies in terms of innovation and development, especially in the services it provides, which are easy to access and quick to complete through advanced systems. Thank you,' Abdullah al Wahaibi posted on X. Hamad al Awisi, also on X, commented, 'We thank the Lt Gen for this step that facilitates citizens and reduces renewal procedures. However, over time, the card remains vulnerable to damage or loss, especially with daily use. Since the fee for issuing a replacement for a lost or damaged card is the same as the renewal fee, it may be worth reviewing in the future.' Ramesh Iyer, an Indian expatriate in Salalah, said, 'Earlier, we had to renew our resident cards every two years, which meant more paperwork and time off work. With the option of a three-year validity, we save both time and money. For families with schoolchildren, it reduces the stress of renewals every two years.' Salim Akthar, a Pakistani resident in Muscat, added, 'Paying once for three years makes life easier and more organised. It's also helpful for frequent travellers as it eliminates the risk of expiry while abroad. The flexibility shows ROP is considering residents' needs.'
Observer
9 hours ago
- Observer
A quest for harmonious path between heritage, modernity
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman is striving to develop smart cities that align with contemporary demands while fostering a connection between the past and present, embodying national identity and its imperatives as part of urban transformation. The vision for the construction sector emphasises enhancing the harmony between heritage and modernity through innovative and distinctive approaches. National identity and its requirements are evident in projects aligned with Oman Vision 2040. Sultan Haitham City stands as a prime example of smart cities, striking a balance between modernity and cultural distinctiveness while serving as a model for future urban development and a promising investment destination. Hassan bin Ali al Shukri, an architect at the Executive Office for Smart City Projects in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, states: "Smart cities in Oman are not merely digital infrastructures but tools for revitalising identity and improving quality of life. They draw inspiration from traditional Omani architecture and its deep understanding of the environment and societal behaviour. Oman adheres to timeless architectural principles that seamlessly integrate with modern technologies, such as smart sensing systems, lighting control and climate simulation." Al Shukri added that traditional Omani architecture offers an advanced functional model, utilising local building materials that reduce emissions and provide natural thermal insulation. Windows and mashrabiyas (lattice screens) intelligently regulate ventilation and lighting, while compact urban planning incorporates shaded pathways to encourage walking and reduce street heat. He explained that Oman's smart cities take cues from history to shape a future rooted in people's environment and culture, transforming heritage concepts into sustainable, practical solutions. Omani heritage — including systems like aflaj (traditional irrigation), earthen buildings and narrow alleyways — provides a scalable design framework for smart cities. These elements become effective tools for reducing energy consumption, improving air quality, guiding pedestrian movement, and enhancing visual and urban harmony. Dr Haitham bin Najim al Abri, an architect and researcher specialising in Omani architecture and urbanism, noted that Oman possesses a unique distinctiveness in building arts and urban planning, reflecting the ingenuity of Omanis in harmonising with nature and respecting resources. The wisdom and skills of ancestors have laid a solid foundation passed down through generations. He explained that Omanis have long understood how to build cities adaptable to diverse terrains — from mountains to coasts, deserts to oases — while preserving identity and sustainability. Al Abri stated that smart cities are not mere replicas of global models but an extension of ancestral ingenuity, where technology enriches rather than erases identity. Meanwhile, Abdulaziz bin Mohammed al Balushi, a property owner in Sultan Haitham City, highlights how heritage values are integrated into the technical infrastructure of smart cities, blending modern technology with authentic Omani principles. There is a clear respect for privacy in neighbourhood and home designs, ensuring family spaces remain protected, while the social fabric is maintained through mosques, communal gathering spaces (majlis) and parks that encourage social interaction. He adds that the visual and design character of Omani smart cities creates a living experience rooted in authenticity yet open to innovation. The visual language emphasises Omani identity through architecture inspired by local history, such as traditional arches and engravings, while incorporating modern design elements like smart lighting, interconnected green spaces, and smart pedestrian and cycling paths. This fusion offers residents a living experience where they feel connected to Omani heritage while benefiting from modern conveniences. - ONA
